Heading up to Isabella Lake in two weeks for a 7 day trip. Making our way down to Bald Eagle Lake and Gabro Lake. Plan on bringing gulp minnows and leeches. Want to bring some crankbaits also. How deep should they run? Also what size jigs do I need to bring?

Any other tips about early spring fishing up there feel free to chime in!

Thanks in advance!

Since water will still be cold, a lot of fish will probably be fairly shallow, so you don't need any super deep cranks. 8 to 12 feet is probably fine, as a lot of fish will come up for forage, but they don't look below. 1/4oz to 1/2oz jigs will work. Heavier jigs are better for windy days (common in spring) as they will stay more vertical if you are drifting and give a better presentation for vertical jigging. At least I believe that's how it works!

Bring some lipless crankbaits around 1/2oz and vertically jig them, and cast&retrieve them around structure (points, humps). Lipless are fun, easy to fish, and they've always produced for me. Try to match local forage (white/silver for cisco/shad) but I also bring some flashy colors like firetiger.

What dates will you be there? We may have some overlap! My group will be in the area May 16-19.

We will be there May 11-18

Are you guys going to stay around Bald eagle? We're planning on checking out clearwater and Pietro

I've never had any luck with crack baits that early in the season with cold water. The walleyes are pretty sluggish and really are not actively feeding and chasing forage. A slow to very slow presentation of a leech on a jig or slip bobber should be the ticket in May.

Do not overlook areas with current, whether it be fast or slow.

Going the same dates the 12th through the 18th with my son. Going in Snake River EP84 and coming out EP32 South Kawishiwi River. Likely camping on Bald Eagle and then on Gabbro or on the river for the last few days. Probably trips into Gull and Turtle as well. We have had pretty limited success in our previous trips so I am following along for any tips. In fairness this will be our first trip with a primary focus on fishing. Last August we had some success using the QM Zulu method. He has a recent post about his articles. They are very helpful. We will probably also take leeches.

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Thanks everyone for your info! Hoping to make this trip a great one! You guys suggest mono or braided? Steel leaders so I don't get zipped by the northerns?

I have only used mono. I haven’t had any issues but have never really tried braided line. Seems to be a pretty good split between mono and braid from what I have read on this forum. Probably whatever you normally use is what would work best.

It does seem the overall consensus is that if you use a leader use the titanium leaders over the steel. I picked up some of the knot-2-kinky titanium leader to try If we end up fishing Turtle Lake.

EKD75: "Thanks everyone for your info! Hoping to make this trip a great one! You guys suggest mono or braided? Steel leaders so I don't get zipped by the northerns?"

Braid is good for vertical jigging as there is basically no line stretch (not ZERO but almost zero) so you can get really good hook sets. It's also good for pulling bass and pike out of thick cover. You will want to tie a fluorocarbon (or mono I guesss) leader for most applications, however. This isn't an issue IMO if you are mostly doing a lot of trolling or vertical jigging. Just tie a 4 foot leader to a swivel, then tie the swivel to the braid. This is the easiest way, so you don't need to know line-to-line knots like the Uni knot. You can just use the trusty Palomar knot. This leader is too long to be able to cast the lure, but if you're just dropping it next to your canoe then there's no issue. If you are casting lures, tie on a 1ft leader instead so you can cast it.Then you either direct tie to your lure, or use a snap. I've used snaps my whole life but never been a serious fisherman until this year. I am going to still use snaps and see how it goes. If I feel like I'm not getting bit when I should be, I will direct tie.

Steel or titanium leaders if you've got expensive lures you don't wanna lose to a pike. I will proooobably forego a metal leader unless I'm throwing my $19 glide bait. I would be upset to lose it but if I don't get any bites then I'll be taking the leader off and using fluoro.

walllee: "Do not overlook areas with current, whether it be fast or slow. "

+1 - one of the best, if not the best place to look for fish. The top of rivers\creeks or falls leaving the lake, the creek or river in-between lakes, and the area where the water flows into the lake should all be investigated. Also look for current blown through the saddle between islands or any two land masses with a channel where wind funnels. Also wind swept shorelines and points can also be fish magnets due to the concentration of bait fish.

If you are going to use a leader, use titanium. Don't waste your money on steel. The titanium leaders cost more but they are so worth it. They are thinner in diameter, stronger and don't kink up like steel. They last much longer than a steel leader, so they are actually cheaper in the long run.

QueticoMike: "

walllee: "Do not overlook areas with current, whether it be fast or slow. "

+1 - one of the best, if not the best place to look for fish. The top of rivers\creeks or falls leaving the lake, the creek or river in-between lakes, and the area where the water flows into the lake should all be investigated. Also look for current blown through the saddle between islands or any two land masses with a channel where wind funnels. Also wind swept shorelines and points can also be fish magnets due to the concentration of bait fish.


If you are going to use a leader, use titanium. Don't waste your money on steel. The titanium leaders cost more but they are so worth it. They are thinner in diameter, stronger and don't kink up like steel. They last much longer than a steel leader, so they are actually cheaper in the long run."

Titanium for sure then, i'll hit those spots up!

Jurbs08: "Are you guys going to stay around Bald eagle? We're planning on checking out clearwater and Pietro"

Yes panning on hitting Gull Lake and Clearwater also also. towards end of trip

Any info on topwater lures and rattle traps? Needed? Doing the final pack! Hopefully its open water up there!

EKD75: "Any info on topwater lures and rattle traps? Needed? Doing the final pack! Hopefully its open water up there! "

I have an article on fishing topwater lures. If you want to read it send me an email - queticomike@yahoo.com - and request the topwater article. We have caught fish on topwater in less than 2 weeks after ice out up there before.

QueticoMike: "

EKD75: "Any info on topwater lures and rattle traps? Needed? Doing the final pack! Hopefully its open water up there! "

I have an article on fishing topwater lures. If you want to read it send me an email - queticomike@yahoo.com - and request the topwater article. We have caught fish on topwater in less than 2 weeks after ice out up there before."

Sent..

EKD75: "Any info on topwater lures and rattle traps? Needed? Doing the final pack! Hopefully its open water up there! "

I'll add 110/130 size Whopper Ploppers for topwater...too fun!

I like to think about that current where it dumps into Gabbro from BE. Cast a shad rap in and around that current. You'll catch fish. Try to get right in the seams between current and eddies.
Also bring some beetle spins and go crappie hunting in the shallows on Gabbro.